Student Film Reviews

Film reviews from theaters, couches, and film festivals

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1. Reyes Munoz 02.12.13 / 2am

   I agree that Hitchcock has done it again by creating another mind blowing psychological crime thriller. I have seen many of other Hitchcock works but this one is by far the most thrilling. It was also interesting to see the film in the original format in which it was shot, 3D. Great review.
2. Hannah Gary 03.15.13 / 9pm

   I absolutely love Dial M for Murder! I wish I had been able to see it on the big screen, but it was still enjoyable on my TV at home! Hitchcock does create a very elaborate and detailed plot in this film; I remember yelling at the screen when the twist happened midway through the film! It is sad that it is not one of his more well-received or well-known films! For the actors’ performances alone it is worthy attention. But maybe that is just because I am partial to Grace Kelly and Ray Milland! Hitchcock certainly is the “master of suspense,” and this film lives up to his reputation! I wish I had been able to see it in 3D, or in a movie theater. Nevertheless, the film is wonderful.
3. Marissa Aldana 03.21.13 / 8pm

   I really love Hitchcock’s films and Dial M for Murder, is definitely a good one. It’s just amazing, how much story there is in one setting, as you mention. In one setting, primarily the living room, there’s a lot that happens, including the almost murder scene, to the discovery of finding the one that set it all up. It reminds me of Rear Window, as that film is also primarily in the POV of Jimmy Stewart’s apartment, so Hitchcock really did a good job filming a story in one place. This personally is not my favorite Hitchcock film, but I do appreciate it. There are some great shots, wonderful actors, and just a well written script.
4. Travis Heuer 03.22.13 / 4pm

   Dial M for Murder is another classic by Hitchcock and I think one of his best. The film is shot in the apartment of Grace Kelly and Ray Milland who are married and so much takes place in that one setting. This film is along a similar line as Rear Window as far as having a closed setting with a limited number of characters and the way the audience knows who the killer is. The question is the same in both..Will he get away with it? It is films like this one upon which modern mystery thrillers are based but too often those films lack the talent concentrated in this film and are disappointing.
5. Halie Sila 03.22.13 / 5pm

   I wish I could have seen this film in 3-D but I still enjoyed watching it at home on my T.V. I am a Grace Kelly fan and she and the other actors were excellent. Even though the cast was small you still didn’t really know the characters until the end of the film because of all the twists and turns in the plot. This was a classic Hitchcock “perfect murder” gone wrong. I do agree that the long shots throughout the film were key in creating suspense. This is not my favorite Hitchcock film but I definitely enjoyed it.
6. Tameer Orevi 07.06.13 / 9pm

   I agree with this review especially in regards to the long shots and suspenseful events. I’m not sure about the part written that many deny the excellence of this film because I’m sure that this film is regarded in the Hitchcockian community as one of his masterpieces.This film was great and the vivid imagery was very intriguing. It caused me to really engage in the film especially because it had such a complex and intricate murderous plot. Tony’s jealousy and hatred toward his wife who was having an affair drove him to commit the actions he chose. There were many scenes that caused the audience to believe he would be discovered, but many times he was able to evade the authorities. Finally, Tony gets caught at the end for his involvement in the attempted murder and accepts his fate. This final scene was great because the audience got to watch this man consumed by this hatred be put down in style. Highly recommended film!
7. Mark Taylor 07.05.14 / 10pm

   Dial M for Murder is one of Alfred Hitchcock’s underrated classics. This film is witty, fun, suspenseful, romantic, and action packed. In addition to the great storyline, the mise-en-scene and artistic cinema of the film demonstrates what Hitchcock does best, create suspense, draw the audience in, and always the coupling at the end. If you’re looking to watch a Alfred Hitchcock film and are unsure which to watch, I recommend this one.
8. Sam Fielding 07.05.14 / 11pm

   This was well worth reading! I have to agree with you on the suspense that this movie creates. Hitchcock hasn’t got the name of ‘Master of Suspense’ for no reason and although this movie I was up on my seat wanted to find out what happens at the end. When I watched the film, I was very interested in how Hitchcock made it so the audience knew who had planned what but the characters in the movie didn’t have a clue who set up the murder. The colours that Hitchcock uses are key in the movie. Red is used for the love, danger and violence in the movie and we see this on the lovely Grace Kelly, who plays Margot in the film. We also see this in what the characters wear and it is just a classic movie. It has to be one of Hitchcock’s best movies along side Psycho. Well worth a watch if anyone else gets the chance.
9. Kori Gibson 06.06.15 / 10pm

   Mitchell,
   How amazing that you were able to see this film on the big screen. I agree that this film benefitted from having such a small cast. I really liked how the plot was unpredictable and how there was a “twist” at the end like you said. The detective was my favorite character in this film and I loved how he seemed like he was unaware of what was going on and yet he had a plan from the very beginning. I thought that Hitchcock used great camera angles in this film especially when she first answers the phone and the camera focus on the light coming from her bedroom and than on her murder behind her.

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